Cricket: Otago grab win as rain rules out other Shell Trophy play

By Terry Maddaford

Otago scored a dramatic come-from-behind win over a depleted Canterbury cricket team to snatch a share of the Shell Trophy lead.

While rain ruined any chance of play at Auckland's Colin Maiden Park and the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Otago took outright points with their 18-run win at Christchurch's Village Green to join Central Districts on 14 points.

Otago and Central meet in the last round - starting Friday - in Alexandra.

For Wellington, Auckland and Northern Districts their chance of playing in the final may well depend on almost-certainly contrived results on the last day of their games today.

Wellington and CD have not played since the end of the first day, with Gavin Larsen still stranded on 94 and Wellington 288 for seven in their first innings.

In Auckland, the home side declared their first innings at 416 for eight after a rain-interrupted second day. Northern have had no chance to start their chase.

Lou Vincent made the most of his opportunity as Auckland piled on the runs.

Resuming at his overnight 62, 20-year-old Vincent went on to score his maiden first-class century and continued to taunt the Northern bowlers before his almost 300-minute stay was ended by Matt Hart at 159, after which he jokingly blamed his father Mike for his demise.

Keeping Auckland Aces coach David Trist to an earlier promise, Vincent was allowed to use Trist's cellphone to ring his father in Adelaide.

"David Trist said when I scored my first century I could use his cellphone to ring Dad," said Vincent. "He was ecstatic. I was so thrilled after making the call I think I lost my concentration and got out."

It was a further confirmation that Vincent, who honed his skills in Australia, has got what it takes. He returned to New Zealand after missing a place in the Australian side for the World Youth Cup in South Africa, won his spot and joined his team-mates in the final while the Australians headed home.

Trist paid tribute to Vincent, who shared a 144-run fourth-wicket partnership with Richard King as Auckland attempted to play Northern out of the game.

"Lou Vincent played a marvellous innings," said Trist. "He showed in the magnificent 80 he scored in difficult circumstances against Canterbury he is a batsman of real class.

"This innings was a clear indication he has made the transformation into first- class cricket."

While not overjoyed at the number of Auckland players called into the New Zealand A team to play South Africa - thereby weakening the Aces - Trist said it was Auckland Cricket's task to provide the opportunity for their players to play at the highest level.

Vincent took a bit of lip from New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori but responded positively by smacking 23 from one over.

Vettori, however, showed his class by finishing a 58.1-over stint with one for 120.

The match is destined for a draw unless Auckland "feed" Northern some runs this morning and engineer a late-afternoon run chase.

Canterbury, after taking first-innings points, slumped dramatically in their second - dismissed for 114 - 19 short of their target of just 133 after a dogged last-wicket stand between Shane Bond and Chris Martin added an innings-high 28.

David Sewell picked up three wickets to finish with nine for the match as Otago took six points and Canterbury two to remain firmly at the foot of the points table.